Tendinitis, also called tendonitis, is the inflammation of tendons. Tendons are strong, flexible tissues that attach muscles to bones. Tendonitis can affect any tendon but mostly occur in a few tendons in your body. Repetitive activities, strain, injury, and extreme exercises are the main causes of tendonitis. Tendinitis Portland mostly affects tendons around your shoulders, wrists, knees, and elbows. Different tendons have varying treatments. Identifying the exact tendon causing your tendinitis and the activities aggravating your problem are beneficial aspects during treatment. Rest, physical therapy, and medications help treat most cases of tendonitis. Surgery may be essential if your tendon ruptures. There are various types of tendonitis, and here are some.
Achilles tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis affects the back of your heel. You may feel pain and stiffness and like you have a lump behind your ankle joint. Achilles tendonitis pain mostly reduces with rest and worsens with increased activities. Early treatment can prevent complications like Achilles tendon rupture. Doctors mainly treat Achilles tendonitis with rest, ice packs, and physical therapy.
Posterior tibial tendonitis
Posterior tibial tendonitis develops near Achilles tendonitis but is less common. It causes pain in the inner side of your ankle. Posterior tibial tendonitis often causes pain when you walk and can make standing up on your toes challenging. If left untreated, it can lead to a flat foot. Short-term immobilization and physical therapy can help treat your posterior tibial tendonitis. Wearing supportive shoes and orthotics can help relieve initial symptoms.
Kneecap tendonitis
Kneecap tendonitis involves the inflammation of the patellar tendon. It causes pain and swelling under your kneecap. The condition commonly affects basketball players and athletes involved in repetitive jumping activities. Resting and anti-inflammatory medications can relieve your symptoms. For effective results, doctors recommend patients with kneecap tendonitis avoid activities that aggravate the condition.
Rotator cuff tendonitis
Rotator cuff tendonitis results from irritation of the tendons that help you lift your arm from side to side and inflammation of the bursa surrounding these tendons. This type of tendonitis is the common cause of shoulder pain. Medications, cold and heat compressors, and physical therapy can help relieve rotator cuff tendonitis.
Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow tendonitis results from irritation of tendons in your elbow joint. It is the common cause of elbow pain. You have a high chance of developing tennis elbow if you play tennis or perform duties that involve repetitive use of your wrists and elbows. Avoiding activities aggravating your tennis elbow is an important way to reduce your symptoms. Medications and physical therapy exercises that strengthen your elbow will help treat your condition.
Wrist tendonitis
Wrist tendonitis causes pain and swelling around your wrist joint. Fluid accumulation often happens in the tendon sheath. Limiting wrist movement and wearing splints for a short period help treat the condition. Your doctor identifies the affected tendons for effective results. Splinting is not effective if the irritated joints are not rested. Rarely will wrist tendonitis require surgery.
Tendonitis is the inflammation of tendons that leads to pain and swelling around the affected area. The most common types of tendonitis are Achilles, posterior tibial, wrist, kneecap, tennis elbow, and rotator cuff. Schedule an appointment at Sports Health Northwest, Inc for tendinitis treatment to relieve your pain.
